Magnetic contactor with special supporting frame



` Sept. 16, 1969 R. l.. MQGARY 3,467,921

MAGNETIC CONTACTORvWITH SPECIAL SUPPORTING FRAME Filed March 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z ,.Z. 42 JZ J0 54 .75

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Sept. 16, 1969 R. L. MGGARY 3,457,921

MAGNETIC CONTACTOR WITH SPECIAL SUPPORTING FRAME Filed March 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllll Ummm J7 Sept. 16, 1969 R. L. MCGARY 3,467,921

MAGNETIC CONTACTOR'WITH SPECIAL SUPPORTING FRAME Filed March 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

45 4Z J0 4g 41 30 IUI' C) Iii 47o Z3 .76 ZZ Sept. 16, 1969 R. l.. MCGARY MAGNETIC CONTACTOR WITH SPECIAL SUPPORTING FRAME Filed March 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent Oflice 3,467,921 Patented Sept. 16, 1969 3,467,921 MAGNETIC CONTACTOR WITH SPECIAL SUPPORTING FRAME Robert L. McGary, Batavia, Ill., assignor to Furnas Electric Company, Batavia, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 710,264

Int. Cl. H01h 67 /02 U.S. Cl. 335-132 8 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A metal supporting frame is primarily designed for magnetic contactors and accordingly the frame has openings and a formation in its base for positioning the plastic encased magnet coil and for also positioning a metal resilient clip which assists in maintaining the magnet iield piece in assembled relation with the plastic encased magnet coil.

The invention relates to electric switches of the magnetic contactor type and has reference in particular to novel supporting frame structure for a magnetic contactor and which may additionally support a pair of switchlets for simultaneous actuation.

The main objective of the invention resides in the provision of a metal supporting frame for supporting the plastic encased magnet coil and for also sup-porting the contact assembly of a magnetic contactor. The plastic encased magnet coil is provided with bottom lugs which arelocated in openings in the base of the supporting frame for 'positioning the magnet coil on the frame and which is then Vsecured thereto by a pair of screws. The contact assembly is also releasably secured to the frame by a pair of securing screws.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting frame for a magnetic contactor which will provide spaced indented portions in the base plate thereof for positioning a resilient metal strip which is located under the magnet field piece and which helps to maintain the. magnet field piece in assembled relation with the plastic encased magnet coil.

Another object is to provide a metal supporting frame for a magnetic contactor which will additionally support one or a pairof switchlets on the respective side legs of the frame and wherein the switchlets are so positioned that they will be actuated simultaneously by the movable armature of the magnetic contactor.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a releasable connection in the form of a dovetail arrangement between the laminated metal armature and the movable contact carrier. As a result of the dovetail connection it is relatively easy to assemble the metal armature with the movable contact carrier and following the connection of these parts the contact assembly can be secured to the metal supporting frame.

Another object is to provide a magnetic contactor that can be readily assembled from a number of individual parts and which can be just as easily disassembled for the replacement of any of the parts or for their repair, and wherein the switchlets which are releasably secured to the side legs of the supporting frame can be respectively provided with normally open contacts or with normally closed contacts.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be fore fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts:

FIGURE l is a top plan view showing the contact assembly of the three-phase magnetic contactor selected for illustrating the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the complete magnetic contactor, the contact assembly of which is shown in top plan in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the contact as shown in FIGURE 2 looking from the left towards the right;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the magnetic contactor of FIGURE 2 substantially along line 4 4;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the switchlet with the stationary contacts thereof arranged for normally closed operation;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the metal supportingframe for the magnetic contactor of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the supporting frame;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the plastic encased magnet coil;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the magnet coil as shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE' 1l is a side elevational view of the magnet field piece;

FIGURE l2 is a side elevational view of the armature;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view showing details of a switchlet with the transparent cover removed; and

FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the switchlet as shown in FIGURE 13.

The magnetic contactor selected for illustrating the invention is shown in side elevation in FIGURE 2 and in end elevation in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 1 shows in top plan the contact assembly with three terminals designed for controlling three-phase alternating current. The contactor is made up of a number of individual parts which can be readily assembled in supported relation on a metal supporting frame such as 10, best shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The supporting frame includes a base 11 and side legs 12 which are top flanged at 13. The base plate of the supporting frame is provided with the spaced openings 14 for receiving the bottom lugs 16 of the plastic encased magnet coil 17. In assembling the parts it is only necessary that the `plastic encased magnet coil 17 be dropped in place with the lugs 16 in the openings 14 and the magnet coil is properly positioned.

In accordance with the invention the magnet iield piece 18, FIGURE 11, must rst of all be assembled with the plastic encased magnet coil 17. The said eld piece is formed of laminated metal pieces riveted together and the same has a center pole piece 20 which is received in the opening 21 in the magnet coil when the parts are assembled. A resilient clip or strip 22 FIGURE 5, is adapted to underlie the magnet field piece 18 so as to exert a resilient force on the field piece in an upward direction. In order to properly retain and position the spring clip 22, the bottom plate of the supporting frame is formed with upwardly indented portions 23. A pair of such indented portions are located inwardly adjacent each side leg 12. With the spring clip 22 in place, the magnet field piece and the plastic encased coil can then be assembled and placed on the supporting frame in the manner as described. The screws 24, FIGURE 3, are then inserted in the side slots 25 in the magnet coil and threaded into the bottom plate 11 for releasably securing the magnet coil and the magnet iield piece in place on the supporting frame. l

The terminals 26 on the magnet coil 17 are electrically connected to an external source ot electric energy for energizing the coil when the electric circuit thereto is closed. The conventional copper shading coils 27 are associated with the end pole pieces of the magnet eld piece 18.`

The armature 30, FIGURE 12, is also formed of laminated metal pieces which are riveted together and said armature is shaped so as to provide end pole pieces and a center pole piece 31. The pole pieces of the armature are aligned with and their area is about the same as the pole pieces of the field magnet with which they are adapted to coact. The armature 30 is unusual in that a dovetail shaped opening 32 is formed on the top edge for releasably connecting the armature to the movable contact carrier to be presently described, The armature is further characterized by a center lamination which provides the extensions 33. The said extensions project from respective sides of the armature and the same are employed to actuate the switchlets.

The movable contact carrier 35 of the contact assembly 36 is best shown in FIGURE 5. The housing for the contact assembly is designated by the numeral 37 and said housing is formed of any suitable insulating material, as is also the contact carrier 35. The insulating housing is releasably secured by the supporting frame by being secured by the screws 39 to the top flanges 13, FIGURE 3. The lower bottom edge of the contact carrier is shaped to provide a dovetail extension 38 which is complementary to the dovetail shaped opening 32 as provided by the armature 30. By reason of the extension 38 and the opening 32, the parts can be readily connected and disconnection of the parts is just as easily effected.

The top edge of the contact carrier 35 is provided with a center extension 40 and with side extending flange portions 41. The flange portions ride within the grooves 42 in the housing 37 and said grooves guide the carrier in its reciprocating movement within the contact assembly. The side extending liange portions also provide an anchor for the top ends of the respective coil springs 43, which are anchored at their base ends on the bottom wall of the grooves 42. The coil springs urge the carrier in an upward direction as regards FIGURE 5, and thus the carrier is yieldingly maintained in an elevated position with the armature 30 spaced from the magnet field piece 18. The top surface of the armature contacts a bottom wall provided by the housing 37 and the same acts as a stop limiting further upward movement of the contact carrier.

A number of openings are formed in the contact carrier in spaced relation with each other such as the openings 44, 45, 46 and 47. The opening 44 retains the coil spring 48 and the blade 50. At its respective ends the blade carries contacts 52, for engaging the respective stationary terminals 53 and 54, FIGURE l. Each of the stationary terminals carries a terminal screw 55. The center opening 45 retains the coil spring 56 and the blade 57, said blade carrying at its respective ends the contacts 58 for engaging with the stationary terminals 60 and 61. The third opening 46 in the movable contact carrier 35 retains the coil spring y62 and the blade 63 which carries at A its ends the contacts 64. The said contacts are adapted to engage the stationary terminals 65 and 66. The fourth opening 47 in the contact carrier is provided for retaining the coil spring 56 and the blade 57 upon removal thereof from opening 45, so that the contacts on the blade will be disposed for a normally closed circuit relation with the stationary terminals 60 and 61.

The various stationary terminals and their respective movable contacts are separated by the ribs 68 which are integral with the insulating housing 37. When the magnet coil 17 is deenergized, the coil springs 43 take over and the movable contact carrier 35 and the armature 30- are yieldingly maintained in their elevated position. Accordingly the movable contacts 52, 58 and 64 are in open position with respect to the stationary contacts 53 and 54, 60 and 61, and 65 and 66. When the magnet coil 17 4 is energized the field piece 18 becomes magnetized and the armature is attracted downwardly into contact with the field piece. The movable contact carrier is thus caused to move downwardly and the movable contacts are closed against the stationary terminals, thus closing the electric circuits controlled by the magnetic contactors.

Movement of the armature 30 towards and from the magnet field piece 18 will produce similar movement of the side extensions 33. The said extensions ride in the slots `69 in the side legs of the supporting frame and are employed as actuating means for one or more switchlets which can be fixed to the side legs of the supporting frame. The switchlets are shown in FIGURES 2, 6 and 13. The housing 70 of a switchlet is formed of any suitable insulating material and the same is cored to provide a recess 71 on each side of a central groove which accommodates a push button 72. The push button carries the movable blade 73 on which are located the contacts 74. The coil spring 75 maintains the push button in an up position with the blade 73 against a wall of the housing. The stationary terminals 76 are located in the recesses 71 and the shank portions thereof extend exteriorly ofA the housing through a slot in the side wall. When the stationary terminals 76 are positioned as shown in FIGURE 2 the contacts are normally open. When the stationary terminals are reversed and positioned yas shown in FIGURE 6 the contacts are normally closed.

The cover 78, FIGURE 3, for the housing of the switchlet is formed of a transparent plastic having a pair of base openings which interlock with the lugs 80. The cover is releasably secured to the housing by the single screw 81. As best shown in FIGURE 14 the insulating housing 70 of the switchlet is formed with side flanges 82 on its rear surface and which are received in the elongated notches 83 on the side edges of the legs 12. In this manner the switchlet can be properly positioned on the supporting frame 10 so that the push button 72 will be actuated by thearmature by means of the side extensions 33. The screw 84 is passed through an opening in the part l85 of the switchlet housing and said screw releasably secures the switchlet to the side leg 12.

What is claimed is:

1. In a magnetic contactor, in combination, a magnet field piece, a magnet coil in close surrounding relation with the magnet field piece for magnetizing the same when the magnet coil is energized, an armature for coaction with the magnet field piece when the same is magnetized, a metal supporting frame including a base plate and a pair of side legs integral therewith, said base plate having spaced openings for receiving bottom lugs on the magnet coil whereby the magnet coil can be readily located in proper position on the metal supporting frame, securing means for releasably securing the magnet coil in said proper position on the supporting frame, a spring clip located between the base plate and the magnet field piece, and said base plate having a plurality of upwardly indented portions in spaced relation for retaining and positioning the spring clip on the base plate of the metal supporting frame.

2. A magnetic contactor as defined by claim 1, wherein a pair of the upwardly indented portions are located on the base plate relatively adjacent the side legs respectively.

3. A magnetic contactor as defined by claim 1, additionally including a contact assembly comprising an insulating housing having stationary terminals and mounting a movable carrier for a plurality of bridging contacts, and wherein the side legs of the metal supporting frame are anged at their upper free ends to provide supporting portions to which the contact -assembly is secured.

4. In a magnetic contactor, in combination, a metal supporting frame including a base plate and a pair of upstanding side legs, a plurality of upwardly indented portions on the base plate in spaced relation, a spring clip located on the base plate within the area formed by the upwardly indented portions and being positioned thereby,

a magnet field piece disposed over and supported by the spring clip, a plastic encased magnet coil in close surrounding relation with the magnet field piece for magnetizing the same when the coil is energized, means releasably securing the magnet coil to the base plate and which additionally retains the magnet field piece in desired position with the spring clip located between the same and the base plate, an armature for coaction with the magnet field piece when the same is magnetized, said armature having an extension on each side thereof and which projects beyond its respective side leg of the supporting frame, and each side leg having a slot therein for accommodating its respective side extension.

5. A magnetic contactor as defined Iby claim 4, wherein the plastic encased magnet coil is provided with bottom lugs, and wherein the base plate is formed with spaced openings for receiving the said bottom lugs, whereby the magnet coil can be readily positioned on the base plate of the metal supporting trame.

6. A magnetic contactor as defined by claim 4, additionally including a contact assembly comprising an insulating housing having a movable carrier for a plurality ofbridging contacts, means formed on the armature and ca`rrier respectively whereby the parts may be releasably connected for movement as a unit, and flanged portions on the upper ends of the side legs respectively to which the contact assembly is secured for supporting the contact assembly on the metal supporting frame.

7. A magnetic contactor as defined by claim 4, additionally including a switchlet having a push button adapted to be depressed for actuating the same, and means releasably securing the switchlet to a side leg of the metal supporting frame and in a position where ,the push button is actuated by a side extension of the armature.

8. A magnetic contactor as defined by claim 4, additionally including a switchlet having a push button adapted to be' depressed for actuating the same, said switchlet having rear fianges and a side leg of the metal supporting frame having slots along its side edges for receiving the iiangs whereby to so position the switchlet on the side leg tliatthe push button thereof will be actuated by a side extension of the armature.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,896,045 7/ 1959 Brunicardi 335-202 2,897,316 7/ 1959 Brauneck 335-131 3,215,800 1l/'1965 Hurter 335-131 3,296,567 1/1967 Conner 335-132 3,388,353 6/1968 `Isler 335-132 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner H. BROOME, Assistant Examiner 

